Cleat assembly

Abstract

A cleat assembly for a shoe comprising an anchor for anchoring to the shoe, a cleat, a first biasing member circumscribing the anchor and engaged with the cleat, and a second biasing member biasing the first biasing member. The second biasing member can directly engage the first biasing member or a bushing that circumscribes the anchor. So constructed, the cleat assembly provides multiple degrees of freedom. That is, the cleat assembly provides effective axial shock absorbance coupled with 360° tilting of the cleat for enhancing a user's ability to suddenly change direction when wearing a shoe equipped with the cleat assembly, thereby minimizing stress and impact on muscles, joints and ligaments and enhancing the performance of athletes wearing such shoes.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A shoe comprising a cleat system that includes:
 a cleat for engaging a ground surface;   a post portion operatively engaged with the cleat and that has an end that engages a sole portion of the shoe;   a concave receptacle portion, the post portion including a section having a complementary convex shape that pivotably engages with the concave receptacle portion in response to a shear force; and   one or more elastomeric elements that engages with the cleat to control the degree of deformation or deflection of the cleat in response to a lateral shear force and to restore the cleat to its neutral position once the force is removed.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more elastomeric elements are configured and/or disposed to directionally control the deformation or deflection of the cleat. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more elastomeric elements comprise a ring disposed around the cleat post portion. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining post engaged with the post portion. 
     
     
         5 . A cleat assembly comprising:
 a cleat for engaging a ground surface;   a post portion operatively engaged with the cleat and that has an end for engaging a sole of a shoe;   a concave recess, the post portion including a section having a complementary convex shape that pivotably engages with the concave recess in response to a shear force;   one or more elastomeric elements that engages with the cleat to control the degree of deformation or deflection of the cleat in response to a lateral shear force and to restore the cleat to its neutral position once the force is removed, and   a retaining post engaged with the post portion.   
     
     
         6 . A cleat assembly comprising:
 a cleat having a head portion for engaging a ground surface and extending therefrom a post portion that has an end for engaging a shoe;   a concave receptacle portion, the post portion including a section having a complementary convex shape that pivotably engages with concave receptacle portion in response to a shear force; and   one or more elastomeric elements are included that engage with the head portion of the cleat to control the degree of deformation or deflection in response to a lateral shear force and to restore the cleat to its neutral position once the force is removed.   
     
     
         7 . The cleat assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the elastomeric elements are configured and/or disposed to directionally control the deformation or deflection of the cleat. 
     
     
         8 . The cleat assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the elastomeric element comprises a ring disposed around the post portion. 
     
     
         9 . The cleat assembly of  claim 6 , wherein an operative interface of the cleat comprises an elastomeric portion. 
     
     
         10 . The cleat assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the cleat further comprises a retaining post.